Whether it was Philippe Montanier, Gary Brazil, Jack Lester or Mark Warburton, if you asked any of the Nottingham Forest coaching staff about Ben Brereton last season, the response would generally be the same.

They would talk of a young man with his feet on the ground; with the attitude as well as the ability to have a long, exciting career ahead of him.

Brereton did not kick up a fuss about his lack of first team opportunity under Montanier and, when his chance did come, under Brazil, he took to first team football with quiet self-belief and a hard-working mentality.

And, as the 18-year-old striker enthusiastically discusses the prospect of lifting his first international trophy with England, it is hard not to consider the thought that those words from the Reds coaching staff continue to ring true.

Brereton had been taken off by the time Manchester City's Lukas Nmecha had come off the bench to score the only goal of the game, in injury time, to secure a 1-0 win over the Czech Republic and a place in the final of the Under-19 European Championships.

Keith Downing's side now face Portugal in Gori, Georgia, on Saturday (5pm BST) looking to become the third junior England side to scoop a trophy this summer.

And, while he might have a chance of securing the golden boot, having netted three goals for his country so far, for Brereton, it is all about the team.

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"Now we have got there, we just want to get the job done. No matter what happens, we just want to go out there and do our best," said Brereton. "Hopefully that will be enough for us to bring the trophy back to England.

"I came off after 60 minutes (in the semi-final) and felt as though I had done all I could for the team. It proved how important the team is, because the subs came on and played their part.

Ben Brereton says England will win if they play as a team (Image: Sportsfile)

"It was great to see Lukas come on and get the winner. It proves what the team can do. We are a team, we got the win as a team and now everyone is focused on that final now.

"As long as we won, I was happy. I would have liked to have played more, of course. But the important thing is that we won.

"I am here playing international football and we are looking to win trophies. So I am just happy that we managed to secure a place in the final.

"All that mattered was that we got the goal as a team. So we are all good."

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"We expect them to try to play out from the back and try to get fouls, because that is what they do," said Brereton.

"But we have been through the clips, we have analysed the game, we have spoken about what we will need to do to win and we feel confident.

"We are ready to go. We just want to get out on the pitch now and get the result we need.

"They (the Czech Republic) were quite direct and physical, they were a different side to Portugal. That was a physical fight. This game will be different, but I still think it will suit us.

"It will suit us because we like to play against those kind of teams. It will be the kind of game we are capable of shining in.

"We like to pass the ball as well and we feel as though we have the quality on the pitch if we can get our own game right. We do have the ability to score goals. Everyone is just full of confidence.

"We believe it is a game we can win if we stick to our plan and play our best football."

Brereton's role for England has largely been a central one, with the highly-rated teenager playing as a lone striker, with either a number 10 playing just off him or two wider forwards.

It is a similar approach to the formation favoured by Warburton at Forest although, where the Reds were concerned last season, Brereton often found himself in the wider role, down the right.

Ben Brereton is looking forward to getting back into action with Forest

"Whether it is club or country, if I am on the pitch and playing I am happy to be out there, wherever I am playing," said Brereton. "Whether it is right wing or striker, I am happy. As long as I am playing, I really don't care.

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"I don't know when I am back with Forest just for now, I have other things to think about first. But I am looking forward to getting back to England and getting back to work with the team, ahead of the new season.

"It has been great getting my first three goals for England, it has been a great tournament for me already and it has given me great confidence. I cannot wait for the new season to start.

"I believe we can do good things next season."

Brereton has been so focused on making progress with England that he has not yet discovered when he will be expected back at the Nigel Doughty Academy. But, whether he gets a few days off or not, Brereton's main concern is that he returns home with a tournament win to celebrate.

"I am not sure if I will play in any of the pre-season friendly games next week, but that is only because my mind has been focused purely on this. I will speak to the gaffer after the game and see when he wants me to report back. I can't wait to get started with Forest, but my mind has been on winning this tournament," he said.